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Purdue football recruit leaves a lofty 2-sport legacy

MADEIRA – When major college football programs began to orbit around Madeira’s Jack Cravaack, the 6-foot-5 senior could have easily gotten tunnel vision. He could have thrown in the towel on his other goals and

MADEIRA – When major college football programs began to orbit around Madeira’s Jack Cravaack, the 6-foot-5 senior could have easily gotten tunnel vision. He could have thrown in the towel on his other goals and focused purely on football.

He didn’t, and because he didn’t, Cravaack, who recently signed with Purdue University to play football, will go down in Madeira history as one of the school’s best basketball players.

Madeira basketball coach Rick Rockwell said, “One of the coaches that was kind of his main recruiting coordinator (from Purdue) was a 1,000-point scorer in high school. He was a guy who was like, ‘Hey, you only get these memories once, go for it.’

“And he’s done something that’s pretty extraordinary … sixth person in school history to score 1,000 points, which just says a lot about Jack as a person.”

Not only did Cravaack, a four-year varsity starter for Madeira in both sports, tally his 1,000th career point in a 55-36 win over Williamsburg Dec. 31, but he also notched his 500th career rebound, becoming just the second player in Madeira history to do both (along with Jay Newberry).

Cravaack said basketball was his first love, likely due to the fact that he was able to play it more as a youngster. So, the thought of giving it up to focus on football, a sport he also loves and played both ways as a tight end and defensive end, never crossed his mind.

“I’d say a big factor (in continuing to play basketball) was my teammates,” said Cravaack, “just liking to compete and being on a team. I grew up with the kids I play with and wanting to play next to them and finish the four years because I only get one chance to play basketball and once it’s over, it’s over.”

Rockwell grinned: “I’m really glad that he decided he wanted to finish out the year.”

Cravaack’s work ethic is unwavering, his coach said. His commitment to competition and willingness to work are mentalities that will serve him well in whatever the future holds.

“The key thing Jack said is, ‘I like competing,’” said Rockwell. “He’s a better football player because he’s gonna end up playing close to 90 high school basketball games, learning how to compete and competing when he has no business competing against some guys. He’s competed against guys that are 6-8 and 6-9. He doesn’t think anybody can guard him in the low post. It doesn’t matter who they are; he’s gonna go at them.”

Madeira’s basketball team is off to a 4-4 start this season. They’re a team with lofty goals and Cravaack will certainly help them get there, but it’s also the memories he’ll share with his friends.

“His leadership this year’s been remarkable,” said Rockwell. “To be a person that has a golden ticket in front of him and he’s still willing to work hard every day and finish with his buddies, which is what it’s all about in high school.”

That’s exactly what Cravaack will miss when he heads to Purdue in early June.

“I’m gonna miss the relationships with everyone, with all my coaches and teammates and all my friends I grew up with,” said Cravaack.